Walking with Jesus: A Youthful Journey - in 1996 (BJEP017)
Walking with Jesus: A Youthful Journey
[Dr. Edward Edezhath, in the book ‘JesusYouth: Oru Yuvajana Vismayathinte Kadha,’ 1996]
The very name “Jesus Youth” evokes diverse images—various groups of young people on hundreds of college campuses demonstrating their deep faith in Jesus with remarkable courage; fellowships making their presence felt in medical, engineering, and law colleges, as well as research centers; these fellowships growing and spreading through innovative ways of training to strengthen faith; reaching out to children through Christeen; the Rex Band blending skits with songs, creatively combining faith with modern elements; committed outreach groups entering impoverished communities to share the message of love; youth seminars and engaging Bible studies; full-timer training programs; travel through North India as part of evangelization efforts; typical Indian-style charismatic prayers; and many other initiatives driven by young people's creativity and initiative.
Practicing or training in faith becomes an engaging experience—featuring many high-quality skits, Bible software, good video programs, attractive group study sessions for contemplation, and action songs.
In short, Jesus Youth is a youth movement that blends sincere obedience to the church, spiritual awakening, and creativity, similar to the Pentecostal experience. This is made possible only through charismatic renewal.
Looking Back: A Brief History
The Beginnings
In Kerala, a large number of young people were drawn to the Charismatic Renewal starting from 1976, leading to the formation of a youth movement. Experiences of God’s love, interest in prayer and Bible study, conviction about the Holy Spirit's work, and the desire to grow in this new spiritual experience and share it with others have all been part of this spiritual awakening.
The Kerala Service Team of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (KST) organized a conference for young people in 1978. They went about connecting with groups across the state and began offering support for their spiritual growth. This became a significant effort to identify and cultivate future leaders.
Formation – The Foundation
Some of the pitfalls of this new wave of spiritual awakening included a certain apathy toward institutionalized church, unhealthy competition among groups, and excessive emotionalism. To help youth overcome these issues, various training programs were arranged to deepen their experience of God and to lead a Spirit-filled life.
The period from 1979 to 81 saw several sessions organized to help youth leaders with Bible study, and from 1982 onward, trainings were conducted to foster deep faith combined with self-awareness. This also helped them firmly root themselves in the richness of the Catholic faith.
Another milestone was the announcement of the International Year of Youth in 1985. The ‘First-Line’ leaders planned to observe the year properly and to organize a conference gathering other youth.
Some of the preparatory plans were to:
• Include more young members in intercessory prayers and actively seek God's will.
• Prayerful discussions and deliberations at various levels with maximum youth participation.
• In preparations, arrangements, and the conduct of the program's involvement at all levels with youth who have different viewpoints or perspectives.
First-liners expressed the desire for the conference to have a unique name with some distinctive features.
1. It should glorify the name of Jesus.
2. It should highlight the youth’s involvement and participation.
3. It should keep up with the times and not be old-fashioned.
4. It should convey creativity and energy.
And finally, the conference was named “JESUS YOUTH 85.”
Radiating a Christian Presence
The motto “Be the good news and give the good news” helped the movement achieve great results. From 1985 onward, all activities focused on one main goal: that ‘Jesus Youth’ should become a lively Catholic presence everywhere, especially to those who see Jesus and the church with a hint of boredom.
In 1987, the focus was on training for proclaiming the Word of God. After six months of study, contemplation, and outreach experiences, 40 teams, each comprising 25 members, gathered to thoroughly consider how to introduce Jesus to prisons, slums, hospitals, homes, orphanages, roadside, and other settings, using the appropriate 'language' for each setting. They also discussed how to use art, music, letters, friendship, games, sports, and other areas of interest to effectively serve as messengers of our Lord's love.
The movement gained some insights here:
- Deepening one’s faith and developing aspirations for evangelization will occur only within a loving Christian fellowship.
- There is a need to start mission initiatives in certain locations, such as parishes, colleges, for children, and for poor communities (outreach).
- Jesus needs my talents, abilities, gifts, and interests for the growth of God's kingdom. Thus, I started music, audiovisual, literature, service, and intercessory groups.
In college campuses, Jesus Youth fellowships sparked initiatives that led to Campus-Meet’88; evangelization among children spread widely, initiating a program Christeen ‘89; the professional network that formed gave rise to Professional-Meet ’89; the Rexband, which became a big hit in the same year; the Parishfest ’90 ignited the parish youth movement; the Living-Vision, initially started as audio-visual evangelization efforts, developed its own unique style at the National Conference of priests in 1991. Outreach, which grew through extensive discussions and training programs, found avenues among colonies of lepers, fishermen, and tribal communities; North-Indian mission tours began in ‘93; full-time volunteers—those who had just completed their degrees and committed a year to mission work; Bible study and practice, launched in ’95; Youth for Life, highlighting the importance of human life and raising its voice against abortion—all these initiatives, along with many others for spreading the good news, turned out to be a magnificent display of the Spirit’s power within the Jesus Youth movement.
The core essence of the movement has been evangelistic, filled with Christ-experience. The groundwork and foundation for this are often laid through a charismatic retreat or renewal seminar. However, what truly ignites the heart of a young evangelist is direct contact with individuals, groups, or initiatives that live radically in the face of contemporary conflicts and challenges, empowered by the Spirit. The creativity infused by the Holy Spirit sows the seeds of Christian life and mission, leading to a Jesus Youth missionary initiative.
Prayer groups, small groups called cells, and friendly circles known as networks are all vividly present in Jesus Youth, each with its own style and operating under different circumstances. These include parishes, colleges, offices, villages, and towns, working among the poor, focusing on art, engaging in intercessory prayers, among young couples, for Bible study, and more.
And how is it organized?
Kerala is divided into 20 zones for leadership and fellowship. Most of the zones and localized sub-zones hold get-togethers on their own. To ensure continuity and effectiveness in these missions within Jesus Youth, they seek guidance from the church and charismatic leaders.
The Kerala Youth Central Team (KYCT) holds a monthly gathering at Emmaus in Kalamassery in an atmosphere of love and warmth, to pray and share laughter. There, they evaluate the contemporary context, exchange experiences, and express their eagerness to spread the Good News. One-third of the team consists of elders, including priests and nuns. This team provides the necessary guidance and encouragement to help the entire Jesus Youth movement grow spiritually with a clear vision. The Kerala Service Team (part of the Charismatic Renewal) convenes the KYCT every two years, considering suggestions from leaders from various groups and fellowships. They also provide essential directions and encouragement.
Jesus Youth are always eager to share the faith they have discovered wherever they go, reaching nearly every city in India and even abroad. In other places, although these groups are initially known as Jesus Youth, they are encouraged to shed this identity to become rooted in their respective communities and countries.
How do they meet their financial needs? Many elders who believe in what the Jesus Youth are doing offer financial support. The youth also contribute their own share. Some of them give every month. The organizers of conferences and various other groups, working with a common understanding, find the necessary funds themselves. This is the typical Jesus Youth approach.
Its distinctiveness
1. Youth appeal: The main attraction of Jesus Youth is that, as a youth movement, it uses styles and language that resonate with young people.
2. Christ-centered: Growing with Jesus, both personally and in groups or fellowships. This is the main goal and driving force behind all activities—to introduce Jesus to others in an engaging way. Naturally, love and intercessory prayers lay the foundation. They make a sincere effort to become true Christians, recognizing Jesus's presence everywhere and becoming part of the mystical body of Christ.
3. Charismatic spirituality: Just like in other charismatic movements, loving fellowships, gifts and charisms of the Holy Spirit, proclaiming the good news in a powerful and informal style are all evident among Jesus Youth.
4. Catholic presence: Jesus Youth loves the church, has a thirst for its growth and sanctification, and strives to know the church more and introduce it to other youth. They are very obedient to the church authorities. Although there are non-Catholics and non-Christians in this friendly network, it doesn’t pose a serious challenge for these youth to remain Catholic and faithful to their core values.
5. Contemporary: Since their relationship with Jesus has become an integral part of their lives, everything they discover or love in life is offered to Him and His glory. Because of the strong bond of love they share with Jesus, these youth make good use of computers, management skills, communication tools, and other resources to carry out effective evangelization. It is an ongoing challenge for them to present the truth revealed in the Gospels and live a life that aligns with it in a way and ‘language’ most suitable for the present generation. However, they find innovative and varied methods to achieve this goal.
Jesus Youth in College campuses
Although campus retreats and prayer groups started way back in 1976, what grew into a broad campus ministry was a student –teacher fellowship in 1986, along with the thoughts, deliberations, groups, styles, and leadership it fostered. All subsequent efforts culminated in Campus Meet ’88, which saw the participation of 1,500 youth. Since then, Campus Meets have been held annually both locally and at the state level.
‘Full-timers Training’ that began in 1992 was a revolutionary step. It gained widespread acceptance as it included 6 weeks of intensive training followed by evangelization work away from home. It transformed the lives of many youth. For those who completed SSLC or PDC, various other programs were designed and conducted.
Christeen
Jesus Youth began its outreach to children early on, and in 1989, a convention was organized in Kottayam, where it was named “Christeen.” With engaging songs, skits, practical life classes, sharing prayer experiences, and opportunities to open up and pray together, Christen retreats became very popular and marked a turning point in the lives of many children.
A battalion of little ‘soldiers’ gradually growing in commitment, Christian programs in various parts of Kerala and beyond, training programs for children, Christeen magazine, and permanent arrangements for replying to letters—all contributed to Christeen’s rise as a powerful movement among children.
The Rexband
Rexband's approach and focus are aimed at those on the fringes of the Christian faith who are fully immersed in contemporary entertainment. With 20,000-watt lighting and sound, music familiar to the new generation, choreographed dance, computer-sequenced songs in many languages, and modern skits, mimes, and more, this three-hour program is highly enjoyable. At the same time, it presents Jesus in language that appeals to everyone. Thousands are drawn to Jesus through these programs.
The moments of prayer provide them with a new experience and a new relationship with Christ. Rex Band focuses on enriching church choirs and their singing with the spirit of the good news through special retreats for choir groups at the diocese level. They also receive Gospel music training. The presence of Rex Band has become a challenge for the professional music scene, especially in regions with a strong Catholic presence.
Dramatics
At the 1991 National Conference for priests, the youth presented a novel, dramatic piece about a priest’s inner conflicts, which was highly appreciated by everyone. Skits also help the young people who perform them grow spiritually and live a true Christian life. The guidance of the Holy Spirit was clearly evident in those skits, evident in their creativity and originality. With the help of Rex Band, this ministry expanded at the National Conferences for priests and nuns and is now known as ‘Living Vision.’
Selected skills were presented in 1995 in an album titled “Feel” on television. In the skit ministry, production occasions are used to pray as a group, share, and introduce Jesus so that everyone is filled with a new vision and spirit, even if they are non-Christians.
Social Reach out
Visiting the slum area in Kerala that began in ’78 became a form of training for the youth, who directed their newfound spirituality toward social commitment. Those who developed personal commitments in areas such as jails, street children, beggars, orphanages, and old-age homes shared their experiences and interests in the leaders' meetings. Outreach sessions became an essential part of Jesus Youth. Leadership conferences followed. As a result, many more youth became interested in the hamlets of fishermen, leprosy rehabilitation centers, tribal colonies, and similar places, because gatherings of youth leaders combined study, activity, prayer, and practical steps centered on their concern for the poor.
Currently, in all activities involving youth, such as hospital visits, food distribution, jail visits, and various other social commitments, it is ensured that they undertake these services with great interest and a creative approach.
Professionals
The first professional conference was held in 1989, attended by youth from all the professional colleges across Kerala. It helped foster a sense of duty and commitment, along with a Catholic spirituality filled with joy amid their secular circumstances. The state-level conferences held in subsequent years paved the way for young and seasoned professionals from different fields to come together, reflect on their mission, and work together, sharing Christian love. Jesus Youth groups now meet regularly in professional and other colleges and continue to initiate creative activities.
Use whatever tools are effective for spreading the Word of God and for renewal in Christ, and do so wherever you go. This attitude has created a fresh and innovative wave of evangelization. The growth in the professional field has greatly contributed to making modern technologies and advances available, such as Bible software, computer music techniques, e-mail ministry, the latest psychological management information, and studies on the art of publicity. The presence of many people from diverse research fields helps Jesus Youth to effectively connect faith with modernity.
Formation Programs
As we have already seen elsewhere, there are many formation programs in Jesus Youth, such as full-timers training and programs for children. A separate syllabus is prepared for each training program after thorough inquiries and detailed discussions. However, certain factors are common to any training, such as:
1. Spiritual renewal of an individual usually begins with a retreat during most training. This helps refresh sacramental and prayer life as well as the way of Bible study.
2. Clarity on how renewal and the Holy Spirit work
3. Studies on the church
4. Insight into self and leadership
5. Problems of the Present Time and How Evangelization Is Possible There
6. About groups and how Christian fellowship can be fostered.
7. Designing training programs that consider each group's perspectives and unique traits.
It is an unspoken rule in Jesus Youth that those who finish the training should become trainers.
Factors that help in effective formation are:
1. Personal attention: providing proper guidance during training and follow-up for growth.
2. Loving fellowships: each training should be an unforgettable experience of love and fellowship. All sessions aim for that.
3. Engaging input methods: Various ways of learning, such as home visits, classes, games, prayer experiences, engaging songs, skit rehearsals, and psychology studies, make training sessions very interesting.
More than just syllabus and techniques, the training of Jesus Youth are wonderful occasions where the views, visions, and styles that many people have discovered over the years, along with today's requirements, are shared. It is a place where a deep sense of duty is passed down from experienced members.
Bible study
A Bible camp was held in 1979, followed by a correspondence course in ’83. Postal study programs started in ’96, with thousands participating. There have been efforts to establish Bible study cells, monthly study groups, serialized classes in similar locations, and various other approaches. There have also been attempts to promote the growth of committed personal Bible study.
Looking Ahead
In the years to come, will Jesus Youth grow stronger or weaken? A group of committed, dedicated, and loyal youth who truly understand what it means to be a Christian and who have the vision and foresight to adapt to today's ever-changing world can lead Jesus Youth into the future. Today’s youth dream about the future and have a strong desire to achieve many things in life. Jesus Youth can meet the demands of the coming years by understanding the church with a heart full of love, presenting it in a language the world understands, and giving the church community the necessary drive and energy to live in today’s world.
Much can be done to increase participation and training among ordinary Catholics. Fellowships that explore and challenge one’s inner life and small groups dedicated to intercessory prayer should grow and expand. Jesus Youth should be able to present to the Church and society the new spiritual wealth that charismatic spirituality has uncovered, using language that is understandable to them.
A lifestyle rooted in Christian love should be encouraged. Efforts should be made for career guidance to improve job opportunities. This will benefit both job seekers and those already employed.
Professional networks should initiate Christian clinics, legal assistance programs, and research initiatives to create a society where love can be experienced. Christian professionals should be able to oppose evil that is being professionalized in modern times.
Ensure the Catholic presence in electronic media, especially in cyberspace.
Groups like ‘Cochin Alive’ should be developed to establish a Christian presence at key centers, monitor city activities, and serve as a surveillance point for the city center.
A data bank should be created to expand training opportunities for youth and to provide a platform for sharing and exchanging ideas between Christian and non-Christian groups.
A dedicated group of leaders should step forward as friends in need or guardian angels to offer a helping hand to those in need, especially those experiencing any kind of suffering, whether physical or mental, or those who have endured traumatic experiences in life.
One Last Word
Jesus Youth has effectively presented Jesus to youth entering the third millennium, using language, music, and rhythms familiar to them, along with many wonderful and thought-provoking skits and mimes. They are a group of youth who have experienced deep spirituality and discovered their own ways of spreading the Good News within the boundaries of the church, carrying significant responsibilities. This makes them a valuable asset and a treasure for the entire church.
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